The Theatre and Performance Gallery at the V&A is about to open Curtain Up: Celebrating 40 Years of Theatre in London and New York for a run prior to its transfer to Lincoln Centre, New York in October.

This exhibition brings together materials from a variety of shows that have traversed the Atlantic to appear in both the West End and New York, winning Olivier and Tony Awards. The theatre artefacts alone will be well worth the visit, from Michael Crawford’s original Phantom of the Opera mask, to Julia McKenzie’s Guys and Dolls garter from 1982, and Helen Mirren’s queenly dress from the 2013 production of The Audience. Interactive elements include a sound booth allowing you to adjust the levels on the Hairspray soundtrack, and a small recreation of the set from Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, which uses projection all around you to simulate being on stage. Find yourself on stage with Joey from War Horse and see the award statuettes up close with a spotlight on the Olivier Awards themselves. free admission.